Beef seminar to provide food writers with new insights

Journal-Advocate staff

Posted:
10/01/2012 11:32:56 AM MDT

A taste test of grilled beef will be center-of-the-plate during a lunch for invited chefs, dietitians and food editors at a first-time event called "Beef + Transparency = Trust" organized by Colorado State University meat scientists on Wednesday.

During the lunch, Dale Woerner, an assistant professor with CSU's Center for Meat Safety and Quality, will answer questions and provide insights about connections between contemporary beef-production practices and dining experiences.

"We want any and all questions," said Woerner, who is well-versed in meats and consumer research. "Then we hope people will pick out those 'a-ha' moments and share them with their readers, listeners, customers and clients."

Beef + Transparency = Trust is a first-time event hosted by CSU's Department of Animal Sciences and sponsored by the Colorado Beef Council, with support from the Colorado Dietetic Association and Colorado Chefs Association.

At its core, the seminar will address a rise in consumer concern about the sources of their food.

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The event is designed to promote dynamic discussion and new, ground-level understandings about U.S. beef production among chefs, dietitians and food writers who influence consumer choices.

The speakers will offer new insights about beef production -- and strive to provide the framework for dialogue among all attendees. "We believe that the beef community should be proactive to reach our beef consumers," said Travis Hoffman, an event organizer and a faculty member in the CSU Department of Animal Sciences.

Transparency in the beef industry is critical to achieving improved consumer understanding and trust, he said.

"When consumers consider a steak or a hamburger, most don't understand what goes into the previous 18 months because the consuming public is becoming further removed from agriculture," Hoffman said. "This seminar will help define modern beef production, and how farmers and ranchers really produce beef."

Much of the discussion will focus on animal care and well being, as well as humane handling practices that are standard in the beef industry.

"Animal well-being is of critical importance because it's a pillar of the code of ethics of the American rancher," Hoffman explained. "People are in agriculture because they care for animals and are stewards of the land."

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